Abandon Italian & German aircraft, Castel Benito, Tripoli

Tags: Castel Benito airfield aerodrome Tripoli Tripolitania Lybia italian aircraft Caproni Ghibli 164 Heinkel

Memories of Castel Benito Neil Leybourne Smith (Historian) writes: The pilots in 'B' Flight were the first in the Desert Air Force to land at Castel Benito in Tripolitania and they were quick to claim the best quarters at this quite modern airfield. Compared to their quarters in the desert, Castel Benito was paradise with grass, trees and a windmill-pumped flow of cold water. After they 'd settled in and other Desert Air Force Squadrons had arrived, several grass areas were marked out as football fields and inter-squadron games of Australian Rules, Rugby and Soccer were played. An Italian Caproni Ghibli had been left by the retreating enemy so it was quickly commandeered by the Squadron as an ideal people and beer carrier because of its 700 mile cruising range at 110 miles per hour with a load of twelve people (or the equivalent in beer) inside. A Caproni 164 trainer with dual controls was also secured, allowing some of the Squadron's administration officers to log up some flying hours. Corporal Stuart Morris (Medic) writes: It was 21st January 1943 when I drove into the Castel Benito aerodrome about 10 miles east of Tripoli. The set up geographically is similar to Laverton, Melbourne. In fact our entry could have been going into Laverton with fine gates and eucalyptus trees along the approaches. Their were many abandoned Italian and German planes in the area. Our pilots had some fun there and later. One twin engined Caproni Gibley light transport plane actually became our means of ready contact with base at Cairo area and was used for bringing up canteen supplies, mail and pilots both ways, if on leave. Ian Roediger had the good luck or good management to be the regular pilot. I was personally fortunate to be with him on one 'local' flight -- in fact he allowed me my one and only (ever) 10 minutes at the controls! We took some beaut photos over the ancient roman city of Sabratha west of Tripoli.

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